Pitso Mosimane is relishing life in the Middle East with a second consecutive win on a trot. His qualities as a coach to adapt to players at his disposal, ranks as one of the best in football. From a mental point of view, he has always been a mentality monster, who can instill belief and raise the standards at any club he walks into. Especially at a club who are seeking to return to the top flight of Saudi Arabian Football, after being surprisingly relegated.
Mosimane’s maiden encounter was a 1-1 draw against Jeddah Club in the tough Jeddah derby. Al-Ahli then beat Najran, a team dangling at the bottom of the Yelo league, by a 2-1 scoreline at home, breathing confidence into a dejected dressing room. Just recently, on Monday night, Al Ahli managed a 2-0 win against Al-Riyadh, but the scenes displayed showed the players jumping on Pitso as if he had been around for a long time. Testament to a bond that is already formulating in such a short time. Jingles was the first coach this year to reach three consecutive CAF Champions league finals, so with his methods comes an incredible reputation and pedigree.
Al Malaki as Mosimane’s new team is known, would have learned a lot from the brave yet smart South African tactician, backed by his local contingent, who can take on any task if backed fully by the players as well as the hierarchy. Trying to kick on and steer the ship back to the Pro League within two years will be a huge challenge that Pitso will welcome, as he always has in the past.